Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Alex Gravehaunt @asgreyhawk.bsky.social · 21h

That said the finale here (barring that small bit i complained about 3 posts ago) is very good. Solid stunt and effect work, a satisfying arc for Zeph, Tucker gets proven wrong in almost everyway possible, and love wins. Can't ask for much more.

Alex Gravehaunt @asgreyhawk.bsky.social · 21h

And I also think it has a weak 2nd act. That's honestly a problem I see with lots of horror movies. They have a good set up, and the have a solid conclusion, but they struggle to get from A to B in a way that's both satisfying and makes them feature length.

1

Alex Gravehaunt @asgreyhawk.bsky.social · 21h

Overall I do like this, but it's got some noticeable issues. I think there's too many close calls for escape. And it's always right when she's almost clear that the rug gets pulled. I think smaller fail forward bits would have been less repetitive.

1

Alex Gravehaunt @asgreyhawk.bsky.social · 21h

Really?! The line pulling Zeph out to sea seems entirely unnecessary. It's such a cheap shot at one last scare. And it doesn’t do anything interesting narratively.

1

Alex Gravehaunt @asgreyhawk.bsky.social · 21h

Holy shit. She just bit off her own thumb to escape the handcuffs. That's fucking hardcore final girl shit. I was not expecting that from this movie.

1

Alex Gravehaunt @asgreyhawk.bsky.social · 22h

I was a bit concerned early on that Moses was going to be the hero and Zephyr was going to lose some agency in her rescue. Glad the movie is smarter than that. But unfortunately Moses chances of survival are way down now.

1

Alex Gravehaunt @asgreyhawk.bsky.social · 22h

I'm not sure how I feel about all the time spent with Tucker, specifically with all his ritual. It's the same off vibe i get from all those serial killer docudramas. We obviously need some scenes with it, he is the antagonist, but at a certain point it gets...navel-gazey's not quite right but close.

1

Alex Gravehaunt @asgreyhawk.bsky.social · 22h

He makes fishing lures out of locks of hair from his victims. Of course he fucking does.

1

Alex Gravehaunt @asgreyhawk.bsky.social · 22h

Ooof tough break real estate guy. I'm rooting for you though.

1

Alex Gravehaunt @asgreyhawk.bsky.social · 23h

Oh yes movie, I would love some Blue Crush to go with my shark horror. That's very thoughtful of you.

1

Alex Gravehaunt @asgreyhawk.bsky.social · 23h

I do like that so far this movie is doing its best to not make the same mistake as Jaws in vilifying sharks. It's clear the movie respects them. The Dangerous Animals from the title is referring to Tucker.

1

Alex Gravehaunt @asgreyhawk.bsky.social · 23h

#Gravehaunt Night 17 the movie is Dangerous Animals (2025). From the trailer and description this like if Captain Quint from Jaws was a serial killer.That's definitely an interesting idea, and I love Jaws, so high hopes for this one.

1

Alex Gravehaunt @asgreyhawk.bsky.social · 1d

It's definitely a little light on scares, and a little slow in the front half, but damn does it pull out all the stops for the finale. The movie is a bit too odd and niche to have mass appeal but I really enjoyed that. I think it would pair well as a double feature with Love and Monsters.

Alex Gravehaunt @asgreyhawk.bsky.social · 1d

Holy shit, just when i was wondering if that monster was ever coming back at all BAM right in the middle of Hank's karaoke. Fucking props. That's how you pivot from a romance climax to a horror one.

1

Alex Gravehaunt @asgreyhawk.bsky.social · 1d

Ooof that conversation as they wait for the monster is brutally effective. No camera movement or cuts. Just a oner of the most difficult and uncomfortable conversation they've ever had about their relationship. There's no escaping it. And it feels pretty true to life. Superb writing and acting.

1

Alex Gravehaunt @asgreyhawk.bsky.social · 1d

Okay so the monster is obviously not showing up while Abby is there right? That makes the most narrative sense. It drives a wedge further between her and Hank.

1

Alex Gravehaunt @asgreyhawk.bsky.social · 1d

Wait. Abby's back!? Huh? I was not expecting that. I am very intrigued to see where this goes.

1

Alex Gravehaunt @asgreyhawk.bsky.social · 1d

Pretty good first glimpse of the monster. Good tension build up with it finally getting inside. And then the briefest flash of light as Hank fires at it while chasing it into the darkness.

1

Alex Gravehaunt @asgreyhawk.bsky.social · 1d

My question is was that scene for the audience or also for Hank? Is that something that he is thinking back on and connecting dots or no?

1

Alex Gravehaunt @asgreyhawk.bsky.social · 1d

Some interesting things going on here. We of course get flashbacks of the relationship here and there. Most of them have felt like Hank reminiscing. But one just now was very much focusing Abby's perspective, and you could see some of thecracks in the relationship.

1

Alex Gravehaunt @asgreyhawk.bsky.social · 1d

Oh no, how long has that 'I have to go away for a while' note been there? That can't be healthy just keeping it up there.

1

Alex Gravehaunt @asgreyhawk.bsky.social · 2d

I think it's been long enough that I'm okay going back to that headspace, but movies drag feelings back up all the time. We'll see how it goes. It can't be any worse than that time I watched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind too soon after a breakup. And I'd seen it before. Shoulda known better

1

Alex Gravehaunt @asgreyhawk.bsky.social · 2d

The movie the dice have chosen tonight for #Gravehaunt does actually have me anxious. After Midnight (2019) is billed as a 'romantic monster movie' that follows a 30-something man after the end of a 10 year relationship. And when this film came out that was an accurate description of me.

1

Alex Gravehaunt @asgreyhawk.bsky.social · 2d

Glad I watched it, but it's hard to say whether or not I actually enjoyed it? I definitely have complex thoughts that are gonna take some time to unpack.

1

Alex Gravehaunt @asgreyhawk.bsky.social · 2d

And unfortunately I don't think that solid 25ish minutes works without that slow build up before. It's incredibly interesting but hard to recommend as a movie watching experience. It just doesn't fit well in that box. It feels closer to something like live theater or performance art.

1 1